Solid Waste Division leaders to provide Kekaha Landfill update

Local environmental groups will tackle Kaua‘i’s ongoing landfill crisis with guest speakers from the Kaua‘i County Solid Waste Division on June 14, at this month’s Kaua‘i Climate Action Forum.

The Forum – made up of local environmental groups Zero Waste Kaua‘i, Kaua‘i Climate Action Coalition and the Surfrider Foundation Kaua‘i Chapter – will host Environmental Services Manager Allison Fraley and Recycling Programs Coordinator Andrew Boyd.

Fraley and Boyd will discuss Kaua‘i’s options for solid waste management, potential impacts on its environment, health risks and more.

The only landfill on Kaua‘i – located in Kekaha on the island’s west side – is running out of space for the 500,000 pounds of solid waste it receives each day. At current rates, the landfill will reach maximum capacity by January 2027. A proposed vertical expansion would push that milestone to mid-2030.

Kaua‘i Mayor Derek Kawakami, during his inauguration speech late last year, deemed the landfill challenge his administration’s “first and foremost” priority.

“Our landfill is living on borrowed time,” Kawakami said at the time.

To attend and receive a recording of the forum, register online at bit.ly/solidwasteupdate. The meeting will also be available on Zero Waste Kaua‘i’s Facebook page.

For more information email Zwknow@gmail.com.